Challenge Coins Limitedhttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com
Challenge Coins - Custom Challenge CoinsThu, 22 Jun 2017 18:44:54 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.1Honoring Veterans with Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/veteransdaycoins
Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:37:25 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=529Challenge coins are a relatively recent fad that is gaining a lot of momentum by people of all ages within the past few years, however, the history of these coins dates back centuries. Some would argue that the coins originated … Continue reading →

]]>Challenge coins are a relatively recent fad that is gaining a lot of momentum by people of all ages within the past few years, however, the history of these coins dates back centuries. Some would argue that the coins originated before the settlement and colonization of North American. Regardless of when these coins were developed, though, we do know that they have been used a significant mementos for unity, confidence and remembrance since the very beginning.

They are being used by office personnel and sports teams to create bonds that money can’t buy and are being gifted to young adults upon graduation or in celebration of becoming a homeowner, landing a new job, or for the birth of a first child. They are used to remember our loved ones when they have passed on into another world. They give us something physical and tangible to hold and put into the palm of our hands an existential concept that sometimes cannot be described with words, ideas or images.

Challenge coins have become a great way to remember and commemorate special events, people and places in our lives. They have also become a great gift to give.

What are challenge coins?
Challenge coins are a small, circular and flat object made out of different types of metal. They can be made in silver, bronze, copper or brass. They can be customized specifically for someone you love or can be produced in masses and given to a graduating class or to a branch of the military. They are meant to be carried around in your pocket and serve as a constant reminder of some special event or group. They are intended to bring belonging and a sense of camaraderie but serve many meaningful purposes beyond this.

The perks of carrying around a challenge coin

Challenge coins are small and easy to transport

Made of high quality brass but do not weigh a lot

Fit nicely in your pocket

Serve as a reminder and act as a memento of a special time or person or place that has affected your life or at least become a huge part of it

They are a physical representation and tangible keepsake of a special chapter or event in your life

They remind you that you are connected to your past in a special way

They remind you that you are a part of something larger than yourself and that, by carrying this coin around, you are never alone

Why challenge coins make great gifts

They are cost effective

They are a great way to show that you care and have been thinking of a person in a special, non-traditional kind of way

They are extremely personalized and are, therefore, extremely unique; no other person on earth will have the exact same challenge coin as you, unless you want to buy a few of the same one, of course

Honoring military veterans with challenge coins
The significance of honoring military veterans with custom made challenge coins is a great idea. Here’s why.

Building the bond of brotherhood. Giving challenge coins to veterans can build unity and create a special sense of camaraderie among veterans that is not easily found elsewhere. They can also give light to all of the invisible lines of connection that still exist between a veteran and his peers. For example, giving the coin, especially years after the veteran has been participating in the service, is a great way for him or her to remember where they have been. It is a great way to remember that they were once a part of something larger than themselves, that they played an important and key role in serving their country.

Giving hope and helping with postpartum depression. Giving the gift of a challenge coin can give hope to veterans who may be suffering from postpartum depression disorder. The coin connects them to their past in a certain way that memories can’t because the coin is tangible. Like a photo, it can trigger new memories and bring back old ones. Sometimes revisiting these memories are helpful for healing individuals who need to move on and forget or even recover from traumatic experiences.

Inspiring loyalty. Challenge coins can inspire loyalty within veterans in a new way. Anyone who has ever been part of a team knows that the camaraderie and unity, the bond created, is one of life’s greatest gifts. For most of us, being a part of a high school sports team is one of the best and unitive experiences of our life because we feel like we belong to something. We trust each other as teammates and as friends and we have each other’s backs.

Participating in the military is the exact same thing, only sometimes this bond can be deeper because your life is literally on the line and the person standing next to you literally is in charge of looking out for it. Giving a challenge coin can invoke these memories anew and inspire veterans to continue living into loyalty in new ways.

Bridge the gap between then and now. For a veteran, spending only a few weeks living “civilian life” after living life in the war, whether active or inactive, can seem like an eternity or a decade. Days may pass in reality, but to veterans it may seem like years. Giving the gift of a challenge coin can be a great way of letting a veteran known that their “distant past” is still very much a part of their present. While they may have changed and time may have changed their physical surroundings, nothing can change their past experience. It is still special and significant and it is important to remember that period of their lives.

Saying thank you. Giving the gift of a challenge coin is also a great way to say thank you and one of the best ways to honor a former veteran. It is another way of saying, job well done. We appreciate you. We see you. We hear you. We are grateful for you and for all that you have done for us and for our country. The best part is that even after you have given the challenge coin and after you have said these words the challenge coin continues to live on in their pockets, in the hearts and in their minds when everything is beginning to fade. Challenge coins are made to last.

]]>Honor Your Graduates with Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/honor-your-graduates-with-challenge-coins
Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:01:55 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=438Following the lead of the military, schools are now honoring graduates with customized challenge coins. Leaders in education are using these coins to recognize the special moments in their students’ lives. Because of the many design options available, the coin … Continue reading →

]]>Following the lead of the military, schools are now honoring graduates with customized challenge coins. Leaders in education are using these coins to recognize the special moments in their students’ lives. Because of the many design options available, the coin can be designed to feature a unique image that ignites school pride and instills fond memories.

Which Schools Are Using Challenge Coins?

Schools all around the world are giving out challenge coins to their students. Administrators, deans, and heads of training corps bestow these tokens of appreciation and honor to graduates for special occasions. The academic institutions sharing these challenge coins with their students include:

All of these schools realize that there is no better way to recognize the accomplishments of students than with a customized coin that they can cherish forever.

When Should I Hand Out Challenge Coins in School?

Adults understand how important it is to encourage a sense of pride in young people for their accomplishments. Rewards for accomplishing one’s goals build a young person’s sense of self-worth. That’s why challenge coins are the perfect award to recognize a student’s achievements. A number of schools have distributed them during the following occasions:

• Graduations
• Sporting events such as winning state championship tournaments
• Academic accomplishments such as making honor roll or achieving valedictorian
• Positive behavior
• Helping in the community

By recognizing these kinds of special moments, we reinforce in young people the behavior we strive for as good citizens. These special challenge coins allow students to hold on to those fleeting moments in time that mean so much to them. The designs can be imprinted on the face of the coin with a unique insignia the student will associate with the school.

What are The Most Common Designs?

There are countless kinds of designs that schools can impress on the face of a challenge coin to commemorate an important event. Some of the most popular kinds of designs include:

All of these are great options to choose from when designing your school’s challenge coin. Of course, the great thing about challenge coins is they can be customized in countless ways. The important thing to keep in mind when creating challenge coins for your students is to ensure that they are unique. You can do this by using images like mascots and school slogans on the face of the coin.

It’s the accomplishments we achieve in our youth that sets us on the path for success in adulthood. Knowing how important these achievements are is why we honor students with tokens like challenge coins. For this very reason, high schools, colleges, JROTC, and ROTC programs are handing them out to students. Whether it’s a graduation ceremony or the winning of a major sporting event, the designs that you put on these coins will forever impact a young person’s life. So whatever design you choose, make it meaningful and make it unique.

If you are ready to order challenge coins for this year’s graduates, visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-818-3229, and one of our representatives will help you through the process.

]]>School Kids Worldwide Love Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/school-kids-worldwide-love-challenge-coins
Wed, 30 May 2012 21:21:12 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=391Challenge coins are growing increasingly popular in schools in Canada and the United States. This growing interest in such coins is largely due to the fact that school officials and teachers would like something more tangible to motivate students, and … Continue reading →

]]>Challenge coins are growing increasingly popular in schools in Canada and the United States. This growing interest in such coins is largely due to the fact that school officials and teachers would like something more tangible to motivate students, and also show their pride and appreciation. Even President Obama has seen the potential in using challenge coins in school, as he used them to honor students at a high school in Virginia.

Challenge coins have a long tradition in the United States military. They have been handed out to soldiers since the First World War. The coins were used as a way to create a sense of unity between service men and women. They are now being used, decades later, to promote the building of friendships and expression of pride between students in schools.

By simply engraving the school mascot on to the face of the coin, teachers and administrators have a gift that they can share with students. These tokens can be kept as mementos by students, reminding them of their experiences and accomplishments during their time in school. A schoolteacher in Ontario is believed to have started the use of challenge coins in public schools in 2008.

Chris Boyer ran a successful challenge coin business after school hours. He thought he had designed coins for just about everything: military service people, police officers, firemen etc. Then one day it “struck” him. Why not make a coin for his students? He heard about an organization called the Challenge Coin Association. Created by ex-Iraq War veteran, Jesse Medford, the CCA is the first official challenge coin organization for hobbyists and makers. The teacher contacted Medford and asked him if he could design a coin with the school’s mascot, a cartoonish looking falcon named ‘Frankie the Mascot.’

Not long after Medford and Boyer spoke, the coins were introduced in school, and students in Franklin Public Schools were filling their pockets with them. Similar to the military tradition, students were challenging one another to present their school coins. If a student couldn’t produce the coin upon request, they would have to do a push-up or give the person a candy bar. It became a fun way for students to interact, and teachers used the coins as a way to reward positive behavior. Since their introduction in Franklin Public Schools, challenge coins have made their way into schools in the United States, where they are now given to students as a token of honor.

The President visited a high school in Virginia to give a speech to the student body on the first day of classes. The school’s student body president had the honor of introducing the President to his classmates. After the speech, The President shook the young man’s hand and then handed him a presidential challenge coin. The coin’s face had the number 44 on it signifying Barack Obama being the 44th president of the United States. The President’s use of the coin is another example of how challenge coins are beginning to become a symbol of honor for students.

Whether it’s the President of United States or a public school teacher in Ontario, challenge coins are being given to students all over the world. They offer a fun way to show school pride, and are a tangible way to honor a special moment in a young person’s academic life. Challenge Coins Limited can easily come up with a design focused on representing your school. Browse our gallery for a few examples of coins we have minted previously.

]]>Motorcycle Club Challenge Coins – Own a Piece of the Open Road!https://www.challengecoinsltd.com/motorcycle-club-challenge-coins-own-a-piece-of-the-open-road
Tue, 29 May 2012 02:34:07 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=440Challenge coins are now joining the tradition of great American motorcycle clubs! Like challenge coins, motorcycles have become a fixture in American popular culture. Both embody the spirit of freedom and individuality of this great country. Motorcycles first roared into … Continue reading →

]]>Challenge coins are now joining the tradition of great American motorcycle clubs! Like challenge coins, motorcycles have become a fixture in American popular culture. Both embody the spirit of freedom and individuality of this great country.

Motorcycles first roared into our imagination in the 1950’s. With the likes of James Dean on the silver screen and from the pages of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”, these chrome monsters have always been the essence of cool.

As people began to ride in groups, motorcycle clubs grew in popularity. These clubs were a way for friends to enjoy the excitement of speeding down America’s highways in large groups. These groups soon became exclusive brotherhoods with clubhouses and insignias. It was not long after that choppers were the roaring representation of freedom, rebellion, and the challenge of the open road.

Motorcycles brought like-minded freedom-seekers together. This shared passion for motorbikes inspired riders to create clubs. These clubs ran the gambit from the well-known “Hells Angels” to many clubs founded by people who shared other common interests or love for a particular brand of bike. Maybe the most recognized American bike of them all is the Harley Davidson. These “hogs” have been immortalized in such American classics as Hunter S. Thompson’s book Hell’s Angels.

Today, with the advent of reality TV shows like “American Chopper”, the motorcycle and motorcycle club are now firmly cemented in our imagination. The challenge before us is to capture the mystique and feeling of freedom the chopper culture embodies. That’s why bikers and biker clubs began to share challenge coins. They emblazon their coins with a club logo, or an image of their beloved Harley. Either way, the challenge coins are bound to capture the spirit of the open road!

Whether you are a charter member of the “Laffing Devils” or a new rider just starting out, a quality soft or hard enamel motorcycle club challenge coin will capture the thrill of riding that you seek! You club coin will become another way to show your allegiance to a specific club. It can have your name on it, as well as your club’s unique symbol.

Have a new rider that you’re welcoming in to your club? There’s no better way to commemorate the event than with custom challenge coins emblazoned in rich living color with the logo of your club! Just like the patch members wear proudly on the back of their jackets, the challenge coins will become another way to show the pride you have for your club.

Do you prefer challenge coins that commemorate your favorite brand of bike or favorite bike shop? No problem! The custom design process manufacturers use will help to create a coin that will leave a lasting impression!

Challenge coin makers have worked for years with all branches of the United States Armed Forces, Firefighters, and other companies that want to cement the ideals of teamwork, brotherhood, and a lasting commitment to excellence. Challenge coins are a token of appreciation and respect that will stand the test of time.

]]>“Putting Holes” In Challenge Coin Design Theorieshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/putting-holes-in-challenge-coin-design-theories
Sun, 27 May 2012 15:54:27 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=424Challenge coins are now capable of being designed with different kinds of cutouts within the face of the actual coin. By adding these alterations to the typical coin, it is becoming a favorite choice among advertisers and challenge coin collectors. … Continue reading →

]]>Challenge coins are now capable of being designed with different kinds of cutouts within the face of the actual coin. By adding these alterations to the typical coin, it is becoming a favorite choice among advertisers and challenge coin collectors. Thanks to the craftsmanship that goes into creating these coins, as well as their varied cuts and shapes, collectors and businesses have another great way to personalize their challenge coins.

The Skill Behind the Challenge Coin Cut Out

The cut out challenge coin is a relatively new technique. Cut out challenge coins are defined by the fact that a single piece or multiple pieces of the coin are cut out or added to the design. The cut out effect brings a unique quality to the look and feel of the customized coin. Two of the most popular cuts include:

• The Bullet Hole Cut: This cut is used to enable the challenge coin to be attached to a chain or rope. Challenge coins can then be worn around the neck as jewelry, dangled from one’s pants, or even attached to a key chain. These new ways to display your challenge coins make them memorable, functional, and attractive.
• Cut Around the Full Logo or Insignia: By cutting out patterns around a logo or insignia, an added charm is brought to customized challenge coins. This kind of cut also gives emphasis to the purpose of the coin by focusing the viewer’s eye on the design. This style of cut out challenge coins is perfect for businesses that wish to use them to increase brand or product recognition.

Cut Out Challenge Coin Shapes

There are various shapes that are available when designing cut out challenge coins. The customized cut out coin does not have to be round like the change in your pocket. Instead, it can come in wide variety of shapes, such as the following:

Customized cut out challenge coins have brightened up the pot by adding so much more variety to the standard challenge coin. The cutting technique adds a new dimension, a new appeal, and a new feel to a classic collectors item and promotional tool.

Ordering Cut Out Challenge Coins

Businesses can order cut out challenge coins that are similar in shape to their logo or latest product. Athletic teams can have coins cut in a way that resembles a shape specific to their sport, such as equipment items and apparel. Organizations can use cut out challenge coins that are designed to commemorate a special cause or celebratory event, giving added meaning and collectability to the item.

With so many different cut out coin options available to you, the most important question to ask before ordering should be as to how you would like to see your customized challenge coins designed. We encourage you to contact us today, and one of our representatives will work with you to decide on the perfect cut out challenge coins design for your order.

]]>Chino, California Police Department Uses Challenge Coins to Commemorate Grand Openinghttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/chino-california-police-department-uses-challenge-coins-to-commemorate-grand-opening
Fri, 25 May 2012 10:51:51 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=417Is your organization or business celebrating a grand opening this summer? If so, customized challenge coins are the perfect item to commemorate the ceremony. Organizations and business around the world have used the highly collectible commemorative coins to distribute to … Continue reading →

]]>Is your organization or business celebrating a grand opening this summer? If so, customized challenge coins are the perfect item to commemorate the ceremony. Organizations and business around the world have used the highly collectible commemorative coins to distribute to employees, and even customers as a means of signifying the importance of the event.

Celebrating the Grand Opening of Chino, California’s New Police Building

At Challenge Coins Limited, we had the opportunity to design and make the challenge coin used to celebrate the grand opening of the Chino, California Police Department’s brand new facility. The coin features a signature blue, white and silver color scheme and the Chino Police logo, as well as text that identifies the meaning of the event. With the quote “Dedicated to the safety of our community, the coin not only celebrates the grand opening, but also recognizes the police department for the honorable job that they do for the city.

The new facility is more than three and a half times larger than the old Chino Police Department building. At over 102,000 square feet, the new building will contain multiple interrogation rooms, a Class I detention area, and even a museum honoring the history of the city’s police force. It is also environmentally designed to reduce the amount of energy required during day-to-day operation.

Using a challenge coin to commemorate the grand opening of the Chino, California Police Department made perfect sense. Since their inception, police challenge coins have historically been used to honor police departments and officials, as well as other public service and military organizations such as fire departments, the Air Force, and the Navy.

Customizing Challenge Coins for Your Grand Opening

With that being said, however, challenge coins are certainly not limited to the military and public service organizations. Because they are entirely customizable, they are also widely used by businesses to celebrate the grand opening of a new office building, retail store, hotel, or restaurant.

The most commonly personalized features of challenge coins used to celebrate a grand opening include:

• The text/wording featured on the coin.
• The color scheme and finish of the coin.
• The images displayed on both the front and back of the coin.

Challenge coins used to commemorate a grand opening of a building, be it an office or store, usually feature some kind of wording relevant to the special event. Both the date of the opening and the name of the organization or business are almost always included. Occasionally, as seen on the back of the Chino Police department example, a quote is included on such challenge coins to recognize the business or organization for the work they do.

The color scheme and finish of the coin are often customized to match the colors of the organization or business’s logo. The colors chosen for use on challenge coins often add an element of branding and uniformity to the design.

The images used on challenge coins for grand opening celebrations often depend on the type of business and organization. Logos are the most commonly used image for branding purposes, though many companies will also use some other picture that is relevant to their particular industry.

If you would like to design and distribute a challenge coin to celebrate the grand opening of your business or organization, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-818-3229, or visit the Challenge Coins Limited contact us page, and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.

]]>South Dakota’s Firehouse Brewing Company Pours A Tall One With Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/south-dakotas-firehouse-brewing-company-challenge-coin
Thu, 24 May 2012 14:13:02 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=439Successful businesses are always looking for new and innovative ways to promote their brand name to the general public. In the case of South Dakota’s Firehouse Brewing Company, a challenge coin has proven to be one of the most effective … Continue reading →

]]>Successful businesses are always looking for new and innovative ways to promote their brand name to the general public. In the case of South Dakota’s Firehouse Brewing Company, a challenge coin has proven to be one of the most effective promotional items that the company has used since opening more than twenty years ago. The Firehouse Brewing Company coin has been a very popular item among patrons, and is often kept as a souvenir and collector’s item.

Resurrecting History

As is evident in the company name, the building that is home to Firehouse Brewing Company was not always a brewpub. For sixty years, from 1915 to 1975, the building was home to Rapid City, South Dakota’s firehouse. The building was converted into a restaurant in 1975, and remained that way until 1991 when it was bought out by a group of individuals that had bigger dreams for the building.

The group stripped the building to its bare bones, leaving only the four layer brick and wood floor. In order to maintain the old-time feel of the restaurant, only polished brass and antique fire fighting equipment was used to adorn the walls and ceilings.

Following its construction, Firehouse Brewing Company became South Dakota’s first brewpub. In the twenty plus years that it has now been open, it has established the reputation as being one of the best dining establishments in South Dakota.

Celebrating Twenty Years

In order to commemorate its twentieth anniversary, Firehouse Brewing Company designed a challenge coin that it would distribute to its patrons and employees. The restaurant also had clothing and mugs designed to celebrate the event, though it was the challenge coins that had everybody talking. The Firehouse Brewing Company coin was an instant success due to its unique design, and display capabilities. For those visiting Rapid City to see the nearby Mount Rushmore, the Firehouse Brewing Company Challenge Coin makes for the ideal souvenir due to its portability.

Challenge Coins: The Perfect Promotional Tool for Brewpubs

While challenge coins are predominantly associated with the military and political figures, their modification capabilities make them an excellent promotional item for brewpubs. Challenge coins can be customized to function as a bottle opener. That means that every time someone uses their challenge coin to open a bottle of brew, they’ll be reminded of the great tasting beer on tap at the brewpub.

In addition to being customized to serve as a bottle opener, challenge coins can be designed to feature images, logos, and text when needed. In the case of the Firehouse Brewing Company coin, the brewpub could have chosen from a number of different visuals. From their twentieth anniversary logo to visuals that represent any of the popular beers available brewed at the Firehouse, the options were endless.

If you would like to design challenge coins to promote your restaurant or brewpub, please feel free to fill out a free quote. One of our representatives will contact you, and walk you through the process of designing and creating the perfect challenge coins for your dining establishment.

]]>Boost Your Conversion Rates by Adding QR Codes to Your Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/boost-your-conversion-rates-by-adding-qr-codes-to-your-challenge-coins
Wed, 23 May 2012 13:37:21 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=405How many times have you been given a business card only to stuff it in your pocket or throw it away without ever giving it a serious look? Odds are that has happened more often than not in your lifetime. … Continue reading →

]]>How many times have you been given a business card only to stuff it in your pocket or throw it away without ever giving it a serious look? Odds are that has happened more often than not in your lifetime. The truth is that the majority of these outdated cards get lost in wallets or pockets, or they are simply discarded.

A card’s design is often the determining factor in how effective it is in promoting a business. The more unique its appearance, the more likely it is to garner a second look. It is for that reason that many businesses are using such customizable items as challenge coins.

While the overall appeal and uniqueness of challenge coins makes them highly effective marketing devices, they alone still do not guarantee optimal conversion rates. There is no way of knowing whether or not the recipient of the challenge coin is going to visit your website or further familiarize themselves with your product or service upon returning home or to their office. In order to improve conversion rates, companies are taking their use of challenge coins one step further by adding QR codes to their surface.

QR Codes and Challenge Coins: A Fresh Idea

QR codes, better known as quick response codes, are able to store large capacities of information that can be accessed in seconds. With the help of a basic application, potential clients can use their smart phones to access such data as hyperlinks, text, and even coupons that are stored in the QR code located on a coin. The QR code allows your clients to import your information to their smart phone without so much as a click of a button.

Challenge coins featuring QR codes were first used at a conference in Las Vegas when a business owner sought a way to stand out from the rest of the crowd. He created a coin with a QR code that stored his company’s information, as well as his contact data and website. Not only did his challenge coins capture the attention of other attendees at the conference, but also the QR code design enabled him to immediately identify interested customers and start the negotiation process.

With a standard card, you may have to wait days or even weeks to hear back from a client. In fact, your card may get lost among the countless others that potential client received during the same event. He or she may also have simply forgot about the deal or business proposition that the two of you had discussed.

By using challenge coins that feature a QR code with your contact information and any relevant company data, you can be sure that they will not get lost among the common forms of media given out by your competitors. Even more importantly, your potential client can use their smart phone to immediately access any details that may be influential in closing the deal.

With all the details they will need right at their finger tips, your potential client will be far more likely to move forward with a transaction. The details of your deal will be fresh in their mind, and because everything is there for them in the QR code, they’ll likely contact you first when it comes time to finalize everything.

The combination of the unique look and shape of the challenge coin, and the readily available information in the QR code provides for better conversion rates than you would likely see with other traditional advertising. As such, challenge coins featuring QR codes are the perfect option to supplement the standard business card as a means of effectively advertising and promoting your business.

]]>Challenge Coins Make Their Way into Professional Sportshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/challenge-coins-make-their-way-into-professional-sports
Mon, 21 May 2012 12:20:43 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=401Much like the military, unity is absolutely essential to the success of any sports team. At both the collegiate and professional levels of sports, team unity could be the make or break factor that decides whether a team has what … Continue reading →

]]>Much like the military, unity is absolutely essential to the success of any sports team. At both the collegiate and professional levels of sports, team unity could be the make or break factor that decides whether a team has what it takes to win a championship. With that said, it should come as no surprise that both collegiate and professional teams are looking to challenge coins to inspire their athletes and promote the idea of team building.

Challenge coins have long been used by the military with the intentions of boosting camaraderie among the troops, and also honoring those that performed an act worthy of recognition. Their history has been well documented, and there are countless success stories that give evidence of their effectiveness in increasing morale.

The world of professional sports has taken notice of the impact that challenge coins have had in the military. Teams are looking for ways to use customized coins in their organizations to encourage performance improvement. One professional sports team that has made use of coins is the National Hockey League’s 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins.

Boston Bruins Build New Tradition with Challenge Coins

After Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference received a Ranger challenge coin from a friend in the Army, he realized that his team could use similar customized coins for bonding purposes. In coordination with team officials, Ference created Boston Bruins challenge coins for each of his teammates.

The challenge coins feature the Boston Bruins logo and the words “Old Time Hockey” and “Since 1924” along the front edges. On the backside, the coins feature the city of Boston’s seal and the jersey number of each teammate. Similar to the military tradition, there are informal rules related to when a teammate can earn their own challenge coin. For example, rookies must wait to get their challenge coins until they have completed various team-oriented tasks.

Using Challenge Coins to Honor Local Amateur Sports Teams

Professional sports teams are not the only ones using challenge coins in athletics. Many collegiate teams are using them to encourage unity among the older and younger members of the team. Local teams involved in youth sports are also finding ways to use customized coins. Coaches of youth teams use the coins to reward unselfish play, and excellent sportsmanship. The custom coins are used to promote team play, as well as to encourage strong practice habits.

For some, such coins give individuals and teams a goal for which they can strive. For others, it provides for a bonding experience between the team that may not have seemed feasible through other manners. And finally, some youth leagues use baseball challenge coins for trading amongst each other at tournaments.

Although customized coins used for sports don’t hold the exact significance as those used by most military officials, they are very similar in nature. Those that hold the coin represent the organization in every action and statement that they make. As such, the challenge coin serves as a reminder to work hard, and to value teammates.

If you are thinking about ordering challenge coins for your sports team, you’ll be able to find the information you need by visiting the Challenge Coins Limited website.

]]>NASCAR Fans Race To Collect Driver Challenge Coinshttps://www.challengecoinsltd.com/nascar-fans-race-collect-challenge-coins
Thu, 17 May 2012 11:26:43 +0000http://www.challengecoinsltd.com/?p=402The race for NASCAR challenge coins is on. Professional NASCAR drivers now distribute these popular customized coins to fans and friends. Originally American soldiers collected and traded these coins, but now superstar race car drivers like Jeff Gordon have a … Continue reading →

]]>The race for NASCAR challenge coins is on. Professional NASCAR drivers now distribute these popular customized coins to fans and friends. Originally American soldiers collected and traded these coins, but now superstar race car drivers like Jeff Gordon have a special coin they give to commemorate victories and share with fans and children.

Jeff Gordon Shares Challenge Coins with Fans and Children

Number 24 is one of NASCAR’s most respected and accomplished racers. He has won four series championships, has placed first in three Daytona 500s, and has the third most wins in the sport’s history. To show his appreciation for his fans, Gordon gives out challenge coins to celebrate his biggest accomplishments. In honor of his 400 wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he had a challenge coin designed and distributed.

Gordon loves to give back to those less fortunate. That’s why he has a special challenge coin for the sick children he visits. As the founder of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital, Gordon spends time with kids who are stricken with cancer and other life threatening diseases. Gordon decided he wanted to give them something more meaningful than just another signed baseball cap, so he now gives this unique coin to children he meets. These tokens mean a great deal to the children. In one case, a parent buried their child with the coin, because it meant so much to them.

Fan Favorites Past and Present Use Challenge Coins

Jeff Gordon is not the only one in NASCAR with a customized challenge coin. Other great racers who have their own coin include:

Other NASCAR teams who sell the coins are Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motor Sports, Roush Racing, International Speedway Corp, and Dale Earnhardt Inc. All of these race car drivers offer their challenge coins at concession stands during any big race, sports memorabilia shops, and online websites. In fact, some of them are beginning to team up with companies outside of NASCAR and create limited edition collections.

Limited Edition NASCAR Challenge Coins

In 2005, Movie Gallery, Coca-Cola, and SportsCoins came together and released a limited edition Racing Family set featuring the legendary family race teams. Some of the families include:

• The Labontes
• The Jarretts
• The Pettys
• The Earnhardts

The families who have driven in NASCAR are too many to count, but what a great way to commemorate all they have done for the sport than creating these limited edition challenge coins. The popularity of the coins indicates that challenge coins are here to stay in the fastest sport on four wheels.

NASCAR and challenge coins are a perfect match. Both have a long tradition in American culture, and both provide amusement and joy for enthusiasts. NASCAR fans look for memorabilia to celebrate their favorite driver’s victories and career, so what better way than with a customized challenge coin. They can be designed for any occasion, so you don’t have to wait until you get tickets to the big race to purchase them. If you’re interested in getting a coin made to get your fans or members all excited, contact us via the web or phone to talk more about your ideas.